Bill to update Virginia geologist licensing regulations, led by Del. Wiley, clears House and Senate

A bill introduced by State Del. Bill Wiley has gained bipartisan approval in both chambers, clarifying the intent and broadening exemptions in Virginia’s professional geologist licensing law, according to the Virginia State House.

Receiving final enrollment on March 14, 2026, it passed by a 95-1 vote in the House and 40-0 in the Senate.

HB1291, filed on Jan. 14, 2026, during the 2026 regular session, was described by the state legislature as “Geologists; regulations, exemptions.”

This overview, based on a review of the official bill text, may offer interpretive context to clarify its intent.

The bill updates Virginia’s geologist licensing law by clarifying license objectives and widening categories exempt from licensing, while upholding requirements around education, experience, ethics and truthful practices. It continues to prevent fraudulent or unauthorized fund dispersal, maintains exclusive practice rights for licensed geologists, and now specifies other professional licensees, certain scientists, supervised individuals and those licensed before July 1, 2025, can practice without new licensure. Exemptions now also apply to federal officials and contractors in their jobs.

In the House, 62 Democrats and 33 Republicans supported the bill while one Republican voted against it.

In the Senate, 21 Democrats and 19 Republicans voted in favor.

This bill’s only sponsor was Del. Bill Wiley, Republican representative of the 32nd District.

Wiley earned a bachelor’s degree from George Mason University in 1993.

He was elected to represent Virginia’s 32nd House district in 2024, succeeding David Reid.

Under the Virginia legislative process, a bill originates in the House or Senate before committee review and debate. After surviving committee, it goes to both chambers for a vote. Passage in both sends it to the governor for their decision—signing, vetoing or permitting it to become law without a signature. Each year, the General Assembly’s session kicks off on the second Monday of January, with lawmakers reviewing hundreds of bills but enacting only a portion.

Information in this article was obtained from the Virginia State House. The source data can be found here.